It’s simple and complicated at the same time. In my earliest years, it was the Good News Bible for regular reading, and the KJV was my “church” bible. Later, in 1983 I tried the NIV for one week, and was hooked. Although I’ve used multiple translations, the NIV remained my primary bible.

Then, when the 2011 update to the NIV presented some significant updates, my view changed – after decades. I felt the new NIV went too far beyond being a translation. It almost became a commentary. What I mean is that it was trying to help the readers too much. 

There were cumbersome readings such as “brothers and sisters” where the original simply said “brothers”. Of course, it was intended for men and women, but I believe that the modern reader can understand and appreciate that this is an ancient text and the writing of the ancients would keep the pattern of their time. This is just one example. There are many others as well.

Then about 2015, I moved on to the ESV. This proved to be a good evangelical “update” to the RSV, and I felt comfortable with that. The ESV didn’t try to help, rather it kept much of the original forms.

I’ve been handling biblical languages for over 35 years, and I know that the original pattern and order cannot remain. But going to the far extent where the text reads like a modern novel was not my idea of the Bible (I understand there is a place for this, but it’s not for me).

Then there was the shift to the NKJV which removed much of the archaic renderings of the KJV. My main reason for this shift came as a result of the perspective of removing verses from the New Testament when none of the oldest available manuscripts contain them. I understand the technical reasoning for this, but I feel this is unwarranted. We don’t have ALL the ancient texts. Even if it was an addition, it aligns with the theme of the passage and presents no theological difficulties.

Once you begin removing verses for one reason, we surely can find more reasons for future removals. I’d rather not. Along with this idea is the concept of the hundreds of church traditions that have brought the text to us. Although I don’t hold the church traditions above scripture, I value its witness. Who knows, it may be a witness to ancient texts that had those verses “in question” for the textual critics.

I continue to use the ESV for academic purposes and for the classes that I teach. But my personal Bible reading has shifted to the NKJV.

These are my personal reasons to switch to the NKJV. What do you think?

… 

*** To receive new posts by email, click here.
*** To book a counseling session with a licensed Christian psychologist, click here.